The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1922, Page 43

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The Lutheran Pioneer.

43

Church, which teaches this Gospel in its native
purity.

“But where,” you ask, “are services conducted
in this community? Tlave you a chapel?” No, for,
as at other places in our Alabama Field, we have
been compelled to conduct services in a room which
does not at all adequately serve the purpose. Sid
McDowell, who hobbles around on a cane, and his
wife, Marcella, live in a two-room cabin. The little
hut is hardly large enough for this elderly couple,
but they have thrown open its doors to the com-
munity, ‘They have given up a room in order that
we may conduct services there. On the day of con-
firmation, mentioned above, we were crowded into
this small room for services. Pastor Westcott, who
assisted me, and I used a sewing-machine for
a pulpit. Rev. Mehl, pastor of our congregation at
Sylvan Grove, Kans., had sent us some lamps. ‘The
box in which these lamps had been sent served as
an altar. When those who were received into the
Church received the blessing, they kneeled down in
front of this old box. This box served in like man-
ner during the Communion service. And seats?
We have none. Yes, a few rough planks, the floor,
and the few chairs which individuals carry on their
backs to services. Late-comers must remain out-
side, for the room is very small! Similar condi-
tions exist in Selma, where work was started two
years ago. We need not tell our good Christians
who support our work that the work of saving souls
is made difficult because we are forced to conduct
services and school in such small huts which are
altogether unfit for such a purpose.

We are isolated down here in the Black Belt,

and we are dependent upon the contributions which
we receive from our mission friends in other parts
of the country. God has blessed our work here in
the Southland. He has given us harvest after har-
vest. By the end of June our accessions on this field
alone since January will reach the 200 mark! If
places of worship are provided, we can — under
God’s blessing — gather in many more. We do not
ask for expensive buildings or beautiful chapels.
All we want are modest little buildings in which to
carry on the Savior’s work, buildings in which we
can preach and teach God’s Word without disturb-
ance. Shall we get them?

Surely, we know that the people are worthy and
in need of our support! In spite of bitter opposi-
*tion they have turned their backs upon the sinful-
ness and wickedness which surrounds them. When
necessary, they have left their friends and have

come to join the Lutheran Church, in which they
heard of the Friend of sinners. The elderly couple
referred to above who opened the doors of their
home for us, is not rich in this world’s goods. ‘The
man himself is sick. Recently we had a jubilee
collection at Longmile. The people, out of their
poverty, brought an offering of $30.06. We know
that some carried a chicken — was it possibly the
last one? —to town and sold it for a few cents in
order to help swell the jubilee collection. Are
people who thus throw open their homes to us for
services not deserving? Are people who will sell
what they have to bring an offering to their Savior
not worthy of our support? Shall we give people
who, despite bitter opposition, take a stand for the
Savior and the Lutheran Church a modest little
chapel where they can learn heavenly wisdom, or
shall we tell them: “We cannot help you”?

Appeals have appeared in our papers for build-
ings at ‘Tinela, Ingomar, and Buena Vista. We also
need chapels at Longmile and Selma.- Other places
are calling! ‘The Black Belt is open to us. Shall
we continue to penetrate deeper into the darkness
of sin, ignorance, superstition, and error? Or shall
we retrench? Will this appeal remain unanswered ?
We believe our good Christians will not fail us.

Send in your contributions to Mr. E. Schuettner,
323 Merchants-Laclede Bldg., St. Louis, Mo. — and
let him know for which of the five places mentioned
above the money is to be used.

May the Savior — without whom we can do noth-
ing — bless this appeal! May He open the hearts
of our Christian people, whom He has blessed so
abundantly, to help us in our need. And may He
continue to bless our work in this benighted coun-
try, to the glory of His name and the salvation of
precious immortal souls! G. A. Script.

‘A Chapter of Accidents.

While returning from a trip to Tinela, Super-
intendent Schmidt came near having a very serious
accident, and it was only through the mercy of God
that such was averted. Owing to the bad condition
of the roads he could not use his car and so was
compelled to make the trip on horseback. Meeting

. a wagon near a bridge, his horse became frightened

and threw him under the wheels of the wagon, which
was loaded with fertilizer. In falling his head
struck the wheel of the. wagon and the entire load